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Thursday, August 10, 2006

East of The Tigris

Well, today was the first day I crossed the Tigris River. I liked operating in the western area of Baghdad better. Maybe it’s because I knew the streets better. Traffic circles, can’t avoid them. They’re everywhere. Traffic was still there and still disorganized. At least the people drive on the right side of the road over here. The area seemed more urbanized and there were more skyscrapers than anywhere else I’ve seen in Baghdad, especially along the east side of the river. I assumed that these parts of the city, especially areas around the river, are the oldest parts of this densely populated city.

There’s also something new here in Baghdad. Strykers. I haven’t seen them here at all until a couple of weeks ago. The news of more troops moving to Baghdad has been all over the news and I read about it in Stars and Stripes. I’m seeing these Strykers more and more in the city.

Previous Posts

You know I'd like to be on the Top 100 of Milblogs.com. It's not a hard feat right now since there isn't too much competition. It would get my site more attention and more hits, which would be pretty cool. So, I'm asking you to go ahead and go over to www.milblogging.com and register. After registering you'll have to sign in, and click on Add to Favorites while viewing the milblog on Millblogging.com. You'll be able to find my listing after doing a search for Thunderhorse Roughneck. Remember, just scroll to the bottom of my listed page and click add to favorites. It should be easy for me to make the Top 100 for now. Thanks!

The NCO Creed
No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

If you've ever seen the movie Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino you've might have heard his character, Army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade say Hoo-ah a lot. It's a word we use in the Army all the time. Below is the definition.